Team from the Viva o Esporte project in Betim secured eight medals in the competition and three places on the national team

The talent and determination of the athletes from the Viva o Esporte project, run by the Ramacrisna Institute in partnership with Betim City Hall, stood out at the Taekwondo Grand Slam, held from the 20th to the 23rd in Rio de Janeiro. The competition, promoted by the Brazilian Taekwondo Confederation (CBTKD), brought together around 400 athletes from all over the country and was the main selection for the Brazilian national team in 2025.

The Betim team shone on the mats and returned home with a haul of eight medals, including five golds, as well as winning three places in the Brazilian Taekwondo National Team. The vice-president of the Ramacrisna Institute, Solange Bottaro, celebrated the athletes’ performance and highlighted the importance of sport in transforming lives. “Seeing these young people stand out on the national sports scene is a source of great pride for us. Sport is a powerful tool for social inclusion and development, and the Ramacrisna Institute will continue to invest so that more talents have the opportunity to shine. ”, she said proudly.

Excitement and recognition

For Julio Cesar, winning gold and a place in the Brazilian national team is a dream come true: “It’s an indescribable feeling. I dedicate this achievement to God and to my master, Wellis, who has been by my side for over 18 years, and always said that I would make it into the Brazilian national team, and today I have achieved this, I have nothing but gratitude. To the Viva ao Esporte program for all the support, the opportunity, the competitions are expensive and I couldn’t have done it without the project. Thank you to everyone who contributed. “Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Now, the athletes are preparing to represent Brazil in international competitions, taking the name of Betim and the Ramacrisna Institute to the highest level of Brazilian taekwondo.

New representatives in the Brazilian national team

Check out the athletes from the project who have secured their places in the 2025 Brazilian Taekwondo National Team:

– Julio Cesar Ferreira Fernandes, 36, black belt 2nd dan, master category up to 68kg
– Ana Julia Gonçalves Arantes, 16, black belt 1st dan, youth poomsae category
– Fellipe Lourenço Cordeiro, 13, red belt black tip, cadet category up to 57kg